First All-Belarus People’s Congress

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko attended the First All-Belarus People’s Congress which took place in Minsk on 19-20 October 1996. Using his constitutional right, the head of state summoned the assembly to ensure broader participation of all population groups in the discussion of the government’s decisions regarding the development of the country. The first congress in the history of sovereign Belarus brought together almost 5,000 delegates.

They discussed major guidelines of Belarus’ social and economic development in 1996-2000, a draft of the new wording of the Constitution, and other issues submitted to the national referendum by the head of state. The Belarusian leader delivered a report at the congress.